Combined efforts of scientists and govt important for high yield

Published: Sunday, November 4, 2007, 17:03 [IST]

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Ranchi, Nov 4 (UNI) Indian Society of Soil Science president J C Katyal, also the vice-chancellor of the Choudhary Charan Singh Haryan Agriculture University, today said combined efforts by scientists and the Jharkhand government could enhance crop productivity in the state.

Talking to reporters here, Mr Katyal said the state had all the prerequisites - adequate rain, technological acumen and fertile land - for agricultural development, but lacked co-ordinated efforts.

Scientists could only give suggestions but it was upto the state government to use their technical expertise for the benefit of farmers, Mr Katyal said.

Referring to the watershed management programme, Mr Katyal said it could be used as a tool for water preservation in the state where only 10 to 15 per cent of rain water was being utilised.

Mr Katyal, who was here to participate in the 72nd national convnetion of soil scientists, said the acidic nature of the soil was also one of the basic factors of low yield in the state.

''Here the soil is acidic and application of lime could decrease the acidic nature of the land,'' Mr Katyal said, adding that the state government should ensure proper supply of lime to farmers so that they could make their land cultivable.

Mr Katyal also suggested certain measures for improving the soil quality and better productivity, including public private partnership involving the steel industies for basic slag for reclamation of acidic soil and avalability of quality inputs like seeds and fertilisers.